Nintendo Falls on Pokémon GO Japan Delay

Japanese gaming company Nintendo Co loses part of their soaring gains due to the reported delay for the official launch of Pokémon GO in Japan.

TechCrunch, a technology news site, said that Niantic Inc had planned to bring in the record-breaking mobile game in the Asian country on Wednesday.

However, TechCrunch cited a source that the game developer was worried that the hype would overload its servers after a leak of a McDonald’s Japan internal communication spread to internet forums. The news site added that it was unclear of the launch date in Japan.

Since the launch in several countries in July 6, Nintendo shares had rocketed 87% and added $17 billion to its market capitalization. However, Nintendo stock fell 10% in the afternoon trade today.

A spokeswoman for the Pokémon Company refused to comment on the report, saying that nothing had been decided over the launch date in Japan. Nintendo referred any concerns and questions regarding the top-ranking mobile game to the Pokémon Company, which made the game alongside Nintendo and Niantic.

McDonald’s Japan as a Sponsor

McDonald’s Holdings Co in Japan had its shares boosting the Pokémon GO hype. Upon announcement that the fast-food chain operator would become the mobile game’s first sponsor, its stock climbed 8%.

Shares have jumped to as high as 23% on Tuesday when McDonald’s first started giving away Pokémon-themed toys with its Happy Meals last Friday. This was their strongest level since late 2001.

TechCrunch reported the sponsorship will see McDonald’s over 3,000 fast-food restaurants across Japan turn into PokéStops, gyms, or battlegrounds for Pokémon collectors.

Regarding the issue of the delayed launch, McDonald’s Japan refused to comment.

According to Macquarie Research, Pokémon GO is on its way to be the first mobile game to surpass the $4 billion-per-year recording, topping Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans. The game places the 20-year-old classic franchise into augmented reality created by Niantic, Pokémon Company and Nintendo.

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